Heat insulating structure



July-24, 1934. J.' 1. uck

HEAT INSULATING STRUCTURE med March 15. 1952 INVENTOYR ATTORNEY 3 Louis Finck Patented July 24, 1934 HEAT INSULATING STRUCTURE Joseph L. Finck, Washington, D. 0. Application March 15, 1932, Serial No. 599,023

Claims.

terial. The present invention is particularly ap-' plicable to insulating material or insulating structures employed for refrigerating purposes or the-like. Due to the periodic variation of the. temperature within or outside of the insulating material, any openings that may reside in the cover of such insulating material will permit the repeated entry into the insulation space of moisture laden air. The moisture from this air deposits upon the insulation material with the result that in the course of a period of time much less than the life of the other parts of the installation, the moisture deposited upon the insulating material will bring about a deterioration of such material and a substantial reduction in the insulating value thereof. The present invention, therefore, comprehends a process and a product in which the insulating material is effectively protected against the deteriorating effects of such moisture deposits by effectively sealing the insulating body or insulating structure.

A further object of the present invention is to provide this efiective seal against the ingress of moisture laden air without substantially lowering the insulation value of the body of insulating material or of the, insulating structure.

The principles of the present invention may be embodied in a variety of forms. Only a limited number of these forms are disclosed herein and in the accompanying drawing.

Figure 1 shows a longitudinal sectional view of ,the present invention appliedto one type of heat insulating Panel;

Figure 2 shows a similar view of another type of panel embodying the principles of the present invention; 7

Figure 3 shows a similar view of another type of panel embodying the present invention;

Figure 4 shows a refrigerator-cabinet and its door embodying the present invention;

Figure 5 shows another type. of refrigerator cabinet embodyiiig'the present invention;

Figure 6 shows the details of the seal around the edge of the type of panel shown in Figure 1;

Figure 7 is a similar view showing a detail of-- the seal around the panel of the type shown in Figure 2; Figure 8 shows the details ofthe seal around .process of construction of are already covered with iron strips e) of this the door and J'amb of shown in Figure 4, and

Figure 9 is a view similar to that shown in Fig-' ure 8 and showing the details of the seal around the door and jamb of the refrigerator disclosed in 00 Figure 5. l

Figure 10 is an enlarged view of one of the joints shown in Figure 6-. Figure 11 is an enlarged view of one of the joints shown in Figure 7.

Figures 1; 2 and 3- each show an insulation 05' panel or a panel of insulating material which may be employed inthe construction of any type of thermal insulating structure, such as a refrigerating cabinet, a cold storage warehouse, or a refrigerating freight car, or it may be employed the type of refrigerator in the construction of automobile bodies employed in the transportation of perishable food materials or the like. More specifically, Figure 1 discloses a panel of this type in which the flat surfaces thereof, a, a, are of sheet metal, the space between these side walls being filled with insulating material h. While any type of insulating material may be disposed between the side walls a and the insulating material may be introduced into the "insulation space in any manner desired, reference is made at this point to the applicant's copending application, Serial No.

318,244, filed November 9, 1928, for a preferred method of filling the insulation space with insulating material. It will be understood, however, that for the purposes of the present invention any other type of insulating material may be introduced into the insulation space in' any other manner desired.

The object of the present invention is toprovide a seal around the edges-of the panel, the seal being so designed and constructed that it assists in the rigidity of the panel and at the same time offers a hermetic seal for the insulation space, without substantially increasing the total conduction of the panel. Consider the detailed a panel, such as that shown in Figures 1 or 2. Strips'c of wood, or other similar material which combines rigidity and high insulating properties, are made to form an open frame. Narrow strips of sheet iron e, of say gage #22, are screwed or nailed to the sides of this framework, as shown in the figures. Next the inner faces as well as the sides (which wooden frame are covered with a thin metal foil 11, such as lead, tin, aluminum or the like. A sheet metal side wall a is now placed against the wooden frame as shown and the edge 9 (Figs.

6 and 7) is soldered or welded. Y Here the ,func- I ,tion of the metal strips e filed November 9, 1928.

may be explained. In attempting to solder or weld a thin metal foil to a heavy metal, difiiculties are encountered because the metal foil melts away too rapidly. By placing the metal foil between two other heavy pieces of metal, the soldering or welding proceeds very easily.

It is now possible to fill the panel with the insulating material. Although any material and process may be employed for filling these panels,

I prefer to fill them in a manner indicated in my co-pending application, Serial No. 318,244.

. first in applying a coating of shellac or other suitable material to the exposed surface of the sheet metal foil a, and if desired also to the interior surface of the metal foil d. Also, the sec-- ond side of the finished panel should be covered with shellac on that surface which will face the interiorof the panel. Second, the panel is then filled with loose fibrous materialicotton,

jute, etc.) in which a granulated rosin or similar material is scattered throughout the mass. Lastinsulation ls -held in place and withstands setly, the second side of the panel is set in place and; soldered or welded along the edge a. A small opening should be left open temporarily for the following reason. In my copendinglapplication, mentioned above, I propose to heat this panel to about 100 C. for about an hour or tling, which ordinarily arises from vibrations or shocks. The small opening is now closed.

It will be seen that by means of this process a panel isobtained in which the insulating material within the insulation space is completely and hermetically sealed by means of a metal surface which is impermeable to moisture and the insulating material is thereby protected against the deteriorating effects of such moisture. I

If desired, the metal foil d may be additionally anchored and retained between the strips e and.

the superposed portion of the metal walls aby additionally brazing or spot welding to the strips e the portions of the side wallsa, which overlie the strips e. It will further be understood that if desired the metal foil d may be applied to thewooden strips 0 by an adhesive.

Figure 2 shows an insulation panel in which the side walls a are made of wood or analogous material, such as composition board. In such constructions the walls a are preferably covered on their inner faces with metal foil b. The

edges of the insulation space in this construction are closed .and sealed in a manner closely analogous to that disclosed .in Figures 1 and 6. Similar wooden strips 0 are employed,- these strips being similarly covered with 'metal foil (1,

'the strips c. also having attached to the longitudinal edges the sheet metal strips e. -Corresheet metal strips 1 are attached to the adjacent edgeportions of the inner faces of the side walls a. The edge portions of the metal foil b aswellas of the metal foil d projects into the space between-the adjacent metal strips .e and I. These metal strips are joined together and with the edges of the metal foils b and d by means of the soldered or welded joint 7. I

Figure 3 shows a panel which combines the This method consists 'seal may be surface of the panel.

,el is 2.98 B.t.u. per hour per sulating effect of features of construction shown in each of Fig;- ures 1- and 2 for the reason that one side wall a is of sheet metal and the other sidewall a; is of wood or similar material.

vided with metal foil 17, the edges of which fall into the space between the metal strips e and f and the scaling is effected on this side of the,

panel in the manner disclosed in Figure 7, whereas the sealing effected on the other side of the.

panel is in the manner disclosed in Figure 6.

The sealing edges shown in these panels have.

a very low thermal conductance and adcf but In this type of construction, therefore, the side wall a is proslightly to the conductance of the entire paneL,

It is found, for example, in the type of panel shown in Figures 1 and 6 that in a panel having a'thickness of four inches and having an area of 4 x 8 feet and employing steel having a thickness of 0.03 inches, the edge effected by employing a wood strip having a width of 4 inches to fill the space between the side walls afor a thickness of 1 inch and a lead foil having a thickness of When the type of insulating material disclosed by my co-pending application referred to above is employed the conductance of the insulating 0.003 inches.

material per se in a panel of these dimensions is 2.24 B.t'.u. per hour per degree F., across the wood strips 0 is 0.40 B.t.u. per hour per degree F. and the conductance of the lead foil d is 0.345 B.t.u. per hour per degree F. It willbe seen, therefore, that the total conductance of this pandegree F., namely 0.72 B.t.u. per hour per degree F. greater than the conductanceof the insulating material. If, however, a. similar panel should be constructed having for its sealing edge the same that employed in the side walls a of theme], the conductance of the sealing edge itself would be 4.50 B.t.u. per hour per degree F. or twice as great as teri'al. Such a seal would clearly nullify the inthe insulatingmaterial. It will be seen, therefore, that by means of the present invention a metallic land hermetic sealing is obtained which has a negligible effect upon the insulatinsproperties of the panel.

The conductance of the the conductance of the insulating ma-' material as Figure 4 shows a refrigerating cabinet of the type disclosedin ing application and my above mentioned co-pendin my application, Serial No.

242,776, filed December 27, 1927. This figure shows a metallic refrigerator cabinet where the of sheet metal such as iron, steel or the like.- Figure 4' shows the application of the present invention to the door and iamb of this cabinet. Figure 8 is a detailed view of such door and jamb and shows a constructionsubstantiallyidentical with that shown in. Figure 8 except for the fact that the strips 0 are so shaped that the door and lamb properly fit one within the other.

Figure 5 shows another type of refrigerator cabinet in which the inner container a ismade of sheet metal and the outer container of wood or similar material a. Figure 8 shows the application of the present invention to the iamb and door of this refrigerator. It also shows the manner of assembling made the outer walls of this refrigerator. It will be coveredby the'metal strips Z and m and. which are attached to the adjacent mitered faces of the walls a. In assembling these adja cent walls the edge portions of the metal foil b is held between the metal strips Z and m and the strips 1 and m together with the edge portions of the metal foil 12 are welded together at n. The corner structure is reinforced bythe angle iron 0 as shown. The reference character p merely designates a small wooden block suitably shaped to fit intothecorners of the structures and to increase the rigidity of the structure.

I claim:

-1. A refrigerator wall construction having an inner metal -wall member, an outer metal wall member spaced therefrom, heat insulating material disposed between said wall members, and a closure for said space comprising a bar of nonmetallic material and a strip of thin sheet metal carried by said baron the side thereof facing said space, said strip being welded to said metal walls, along the marginal edges thereof, whereby the welding operation may be performed on the exterior of the wall structure.

2. A refrigerator wall construction having an inner metal wall member, an outer metal wall member spaced therefrom, heat insulating material disposed between said wall'members, and a closure for said-space comprising a bar of rigid insulating material disposed betweenthe edge portion of said walls, said bar having its interior face covered by metal foil, said metal foil being welded to adjacent marginal edges of 'said walls whereby the welding operation may be performed on the exterior of the wall structure.

3. A refrigerator wall construction having an inner metal wall member, an outer metal wall member spaced therefromheat insulating material disposed between said wall members, and a closure for salid'space comprising a bar 'of rigid insulating material disposed between the edge portions of saidwalls, said bar carrying sheet metal strips on its lateral faces and metal-foil on its inner face said metal foil overlapping onto said metal strips, said strips and metal foil being soldered or welded to the marginal edges of said metal walls, whereby the welding operation may be performed on the exterior of the wall structure.

4. A refrigerator wall constructionv having spaced inner and. outer wall members, said wall members having sheet metal marginal portions, and a closure for'the .space between'said wall members comprising a bar of rigid non-metallic material carrying a strip of thin sheet metal on its interior face, the edge portions of said strip being soldered or welded to .said marginal portions, whereby the soldering or welding may be performed on the exterior of the wall structure.

5. A.- refrigerator wall construction having spaced inner and outer walls of rigid non-metallic material, carrying a strip of sheet metal on the marginal portions of their interior faces, metal foil carried by'the inner faces of said walls and overlapping onto said sheet metal strips, and a closure for the space between said walls comprising a rigid barof non-metallic material having metal foil on its interior face, the'metal foil being welded or soldered to said marginal sheet metal stripsr 1 JOSEPH L, FINCK. 

